Torenia plant named ‘Dantomoon10’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Torenia  plant named ‘Dantomoon10’ characterized by having green foliage with reddish-green buds; plenty of delicate, funnel form, cup shaped flowers in shades of light violet-blue and violet with a distinctive yellow spot; vigorous, bush, cascading, rounded and compact growth habit; densely branched plant, gracefully cascading from hanging baskets; early flowering response and stays in full bloom season-long in moderate climate; suitable for use as an annual for hanging pots outdoors under partial shade; and good weather tolerance with preferred temperature range of 15 to 25° C.

Botanical designation: Torenia sp.

Variety denomination: ‘Dantomoon10’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Torenia plant, of the Scrophulariaceae family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Dantomoon10’.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in February of 2002 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is the Torenia cultivar designated ‘Blue Moon’ (unpatented). The male parent is the Torenia cultivar designated ‘Clown Mix’ (unpatented). The new Torenia cultivar ‘Dantomoon10’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Torenia cultivar by soft tip cuttings was first performed in October of 2002 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Dantomoon10’ which in combination distinguish this Torenia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Green foliage with reddish-green buds;     -   2. Plenty of delicate, funnel form, cup shaped flowers in shades         of light violet-blue and violet with a distinctive yellow spot;     -   3. Vigorous, bush, cascading, rounded and compact growth habit;     -   4. Densely branched plant, gracefully cascading from hanging         baskets;     -   5. Early flowering response and stays in full bloom in moderate         climate;     -   6. Suitable for use as an annual for hanging pots outdoors under         partial shade; and     -   7. Good weather tolerance with preferred temperature range of 15         to 25° C.

Plants of the new Torenia cultivar ‘Dantomoon10’ differ from plants of the parents, ‘Blue Moon’ (unpatented) and ‘Clown Mix’ (unpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘Blue Moon’ ‘Clown Mix’ Character ‘Dantomoon10’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Flower color Light violet-blue and Light violet Pink and white violet Flower size Length: 3.8 cm Length: 4 cm Length: 3 cm Width: 3.0 cm Width: 3.8 cm Width: 2.8 cm Growth habit Bush, Cascading Bush, Cascading Bush, upright Flowering 5 weeks from 10 weeks from 4 weeks from time planting planting planting

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Torenia cultivar ‘Dantomoon10’ is the Torenia cultivar ‘Dantopur’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,723) in the following characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘Dantopur’ Character ‘Dantomoon10’ (patented, PP13, 723′) Flower color Light violet-and violet-blue Purple and blue Flower size Length: 3.8 cm Length: 3.8 cm Width: 3.0 cm Width: 3.5 cm Growth habit Bush, Cascading Bush, Cascading Flowering time 5 weeks from planting 6 weeks from planting

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying illustrate the overall appearance of the new Torenia cultivar ‘Dantomoon10’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of ‘Dantomoon10’.

The first photograph shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Dantomoon10’ in a hanging planter at 3 months of age.

The second photograph shows a close-up view of the typical flowers, buds and leaves of ‘Dantomoon10’ at 3 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Torenia cultivar ‘Dantomoon10’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of the new cultivar ‘Dantomoon10’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions, which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. For use as a pot plant, plants of ‘Dantomoon10’ are grown outdoors in a moderate climate and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. Plants of ‘Dantomoon10’ are usually grown in full sunlight, but partial shade is required in mid-summer. Plants of ‘Dantomoon10’ are fully-grown in 3 months from planting a cutting in the summer season and bloom are year-round in moderate climate.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 noon in May of 2005 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 3 months.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Torenia sp.         -   Commercial.—Indigo Moon. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Torenia cultivar ‘Blue Moon’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Torenia cultivar ‘Clown Mix’ (unpatented). -   Propagation: Tissue culture (micropropagation of young in vitro     plantlet) and soft tip cuttings. -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Bush, cascading.         -   Growth habit.—Vigorous, rounded and compact.         -   Height.—15 to 20 cm.         -   Spread.—About 45 cm.         -   Blooming period.—All year round in moderate climate.         -   Cold tolerance.—Frost tender. Temperature below 5° C. may             damage plants.         -   Vigor.—Plants are fully-grown in 3 months from planting a             cutting in summer. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—Yellow-Green, RHS 144-A.         -   Length.—25 cm maximum length.         -   Diameter.—About 0.35 cm.         -   Pubescence.—Minimal and sporadic; stem is quadrangular, few             hairs on the edges.         -   Branching.—Between 5 and 10 main branches grow from the base             and split into hundreds of secondary branches.         -   Length of internodes.—3 to 5 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Overall shape.—Deltoid.         -   Apex.—Reniform.         -   Base.—Cordate.         -   Size of leaf.—Width: About 2.9 cm. Length: About 3.9 cm.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Color.—Center color of leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS 146-A. Upper             side: Yellow-Green, RHS 146-A. Under side: Yellow-Green, RHS             146-B.         -   Leaf texture.—Pubescent. -   Venation:     -   -   Pattern.—Mid-rib splits to 4-6 secondary veins.         -   Color.—Upper side: Yellow-Green, RHS 146-A. Under side:             Yellow-Green, RHS 146-B. -   Petioles:     -   -   Length.—About 1.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.25 cm.         -   Color.—Yellow-Green, RHS 146-B. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—All year round in moderate climate.         -   Flowering stem.—Flowers appear along the growing stems;             about 2 to 4 flowers on a grown stem, which flower together.         -   Flowering longevity.—About 4 to 7 days on the plant,             depending on temperature.         -   Type.—Single.         -   Shape.—Funnel form.         -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Flower length.—About 3.8 cm.         -   Flower width.—About 3.0 cm. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Oblong, cylindrical, ellipsoid, 5 winged.         -   Size.—Length: About 1.9 cm. Diameter: About 0.7 cm.         -   Color.—A mixture of yellow-green, RHS 144B, and             greyed-purple, RHS 186A. Yellow-green all over bud. On             winged lobes, greyed-purple color can be noticed.         -   Texture.—Slight pubescence on edges of wings. -   Floral tube:     -   -   Length.—About 2.6 cm.         -   Color.—Outside: Mixture of violet-blue shades, RHS 93B and             RHS 94C, and greyed-green shade, RHS 195B at base of floral             tube. Inside: Mixture of violet-blue, RHS 92A, and             yellow-orange, RHS 14A. -   Petals:     -   -   Number.—Four, fused.         -   Length.—Upper: About 2.9 cm. Sides: About 3.2 cm. Lower:             About 2.4 cm.         -   Width.—Upper: About 1.7 cm. Sides: About 1.3 cm. Lower:             About 1.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Corolla tube cylindrical or often broadened above,             2-lipped, the upper lip faintly 2-lobed, the lower lip             3-lobed.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Undulated.         -   Color.—The upper lip light violet-blue, lower and sides lips             violet with yellow blotch in middle lower lip. Mature: Upper             Side: A mixture of violet-blue shades, RHS 91B and RHS N89A,             violet shade, RHS N88B, yellow shade, RHS 7A. Under Side: A             mixture of violet-blue shades, RHS 96A and RHS 93B, and             yellow shade, RHS 4D. Margin: A mixture of violet blue             shades, RHS N89A and RHS 91B, violet shade, RHS N88B.             Throat: A mixture of violet-blue shade, RHS 94D, and             yellow-orange shade, RHS 14A. Immature: Upper Side: A             mixture of violet-blue shade, RHS 91B, violet shade, RHS             N88B, and yellow shade, RHS 7A. Under Side: A mixture of             violet-blue shades, RHS 96A and RHS 93A. Margin: A mixture             of violet-blue shade, RHS 91B, and violet shade, RHS N88B.             Throat: A mixture of violet-blue shade, RHS 94D, and             yellow-orange shade, RHS 14A. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Length.—About 1.9 cm.         -   Width.—About 0.25 cm.         -   Shape.—Two-lobed., 5 winged.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Wedge shaped.         -   Margin.—Undulated.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Diameter.—About 0.25 cm.         -   Length.—About 2.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Yellow-Green, RHS 144-A. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen.—Number: 2 pairs per flower; fused. Color: White, RHS             N155A.         -   Anther.—Length About 0.4 cm. Width: About 0.05 cm. Color:             White, RHS N155A. Spur: Present.         -   Filament.—Length: About 1.4 cm. Width: About 0.05 cm; lower             filament shorter 0.3 cm. Color: White, RHS N155A.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Sparse amount. Color: White, RHS N155C.             Requirements for pollination: Young flowers, vital pollen,             and receptive, open stigma. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistil.—Number: One per flower. Length: About 2.5 cm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Two lobes, open to opposite sides, deltoid             shape. Length: About 0.25 cm. Width: About 0.3 cm. Color:             Violet, RHS 85D.         -   Style.—Length: About 2 cm. Color: Violet, RHS 85C.         -   Ovary.—Number: 1. Length: About 0.6 cm. Width: About 0.3 cm.             Color: Green, RHS 143-A. -   Seed/fruit: None. -   Pest/disease resistance and/or susceptibility: A standard     preventative spray program is sufficient as no susceptibility was     observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Sensitive to temperatures below 5° C. 

1. A new and distinct Torenia plant named ‘Dantomoon10’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 